From the factory to the office, Michelin is seizing the potential of generative AI to continue to master its industrial challenges and boost the performance of its teams.
The tire giant equips its employees with a combination of an in-house chatbot, based on Azure OpenAI Service, and Copilot, powered by group data.
Synthesis, information retrieval or improved data qualification and classification, teams are seduced and productivity is boosted.
As a renowned tire manufacturer and pioneer in materials science, Michelin has been developing its expertise in mobility for 130 years, gradually expanding into other key sectors such as aeronautics and construction. Building on its expertise, the group now wants to search for ways to ensure continuous innovation by combining industrial and sustainable development challenges. To this end, the company is banking on the power of new technologies, such as AI.
Deploying large-scale applications within factories, developing new materials, optimizing knowledge of road infrastructuresā¦ From R&D to manufacturing workshops, logistics activities, services or marketing, AI and generative AI are one of the pillars of innovation in the Michelin way. "They represent a dual challenge in terms of skills and the continuous integration of new technologies, which Microsoft is helping us to meet throughout our value chain,"says Yves Caseau, Chief Digital & Information Officer.
The firm has set its sights on the Azure OpenAI Service environment, which it is using both to reinvent its devices and production methods, and to open the field of possibilities for its employees. Generative AI is indeed seen as an opportunity to instill a dynamic of progress at every level of the company. "Our ambition is to enable every one of our employees to innovate with generative AI,"confides Ambica Rajagopal, Chief Data & AI Officer, "which is why we have developed our own Azure-based platform."
They represent a dual challenge in terms of skills and the continuous integration of new technologies, which Microsoft is helping us to meet throughout our value chain
Yves Caseau, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Michelin
The "Aurora" platform is an authentic in-house chatbot fed by the Group's data and numerous LLMs (Large Language Models). On a day-to-day basis, it offers a range of features designed to optimize the work and performance of teams. For instance, Louis-Marie Sol, Environmental Program Manager, uses Aurora to save time on certain tasks like generating summaries or reformulating ideas. The expert also uses the tool's capabilities to create links between different concepts: "That's where the approach becomes interesting, it opens up other perspectives for me", he confides.
At the same time, the tire giant deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot, a tool which is perfectly adapted to its operational needs. "Copilot has revolutionized my productivity,"enthused Caroline Gauthier, Service Owner Collaborative Tools. Capable of summarizing meetings, searching for documents or information on a specific subject, or even improving data qualification and classification, the solution seems to be winning over employees.
Copilot has revolutionized my productivity
Caroline Gauthier, Service Owner Collaborative Tools, Michelin
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